Homemade Popsicles

As much as I want my kids to have a cool treat during the hot months of summer, I don’t want them eating store bought popsicles filled with corn syrup, dyes and artificial flavoring. Instead, I make my own out of fresh fruit and a touch of natural sweetener.

Nothing says summer like popsicles do! As much as I want my kids to have a cool treat during the hot months of summer, I don’t want them eating store bought popsicles filled with corn syrup, dyes and artificial flavoring. Instead, I make my own out of fresh fruit and a touch of natural sweetener.

Use your imagination and choose from any fruit to make popsicles – peaches, blueberries, raspberries, etc. To give the popsicles a bit more nutrition, add some small pieces of fruit before you freeze the purée.

Homemade Popsicles

1 cup puréed mango, (from peeled fruit)

1 cup puréed strawberries

1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons sugar, honey or agave nectar

Lime or lemon juice to taste

6 popsicle sticks

Combine fruit purées in a medium bowl. Create a simple syrup by heating water and sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves.

Add to purées with lime or lemon juice to taste. If you have popsicle molds, fill them, leaving some room at the top to allow for expansion, set the lids in place and insert the sticks through the holes. Tip: If you don’t have popsicle molds, fill small cups or empty yogurt tubs about 3/4 full, stretch plastic or foil across the top and make a small slit to insert sticks.

Freeze until firmly set, 3 to 4 hours. To remove the pops, first remove the lids or wrap, then squeeze the sides of the molds, twisting them slightly, to dislodge the pop. If necessary, rinse the outside of the molds under hot water first.

This article was originally published at Ready Nutrition™ on June 3rd, 2011